Dikaiopolis drives the oxen, the oxen pull the plough and Xanthias seeds the seed. But look! - the oxen stay and no longer drag the plough. Dikaiopolis therefore calls his oxen and, "Hurry up, oxen, he says; don't wait." But the oxen are still waiting. So Dikaiopolis, "Why are you waiting, oxen?" he says and looks towards the plough, and o look! - a stone is obstructing it. So Dikaiopolis takes the stone but doen't lift it: for it is big. So he calls his slave and, "Come here, Xanthias, -he says,- and help: for a big stone is obstructing the plough and the oxen are waiting."

So Xanthias slowly approaches but doesn't help: for he looks towards the stone and, "Big is the stone, master, - says he - look! it's not possible to lift it." But Dikaiopolis, "Don't be lazy, - he says - but help. For it is possible to lift the stone." And so together master and slave lift the stone and carry it out of the field.

While they are carrying it, Xanthias stumbles and drops the stone; and the stone falls upon Dikaiopolis's foot. Dikaiopolis therefore groans and, "O Zeus! he says, o, my poor foot! Take (hold of) the stone, fool, and lift it and don't be so clumsy." But Xanthias, "Why are you so harsh, master? - he says - for I am not responsible; for the stone is big and it is not possible to carry it." And Dikaiopolis, "don't talk nonsense, you jailbird, but pick up the stone and carry it out of the field." Again therefore they pick up the stone and with difficulty carry it out of the field. And then Dikaiopolis drives the oxen, and the oxen don't wait any longer but drag the plough.