"To find the Pnyx deserted on the day,
The regular day, fix'd for a morning meeting."
Dikaiopolis says this in his speech as he's alone at the Pnyx where there is meant to be a regular meeting, but no one has yet to show up. This content tells us that matters of the state don't hold the weight and value that he believes they should.
"Then, as we were guests, we had to drink, net too, from gold and crystal, Their excellent wines."
The Commissioner has returned from Persian and tells of his time there as if he couldn't believe he had to be lavished with such luxury while people are starving at home.
"And I, of course was blest beyond compare--bestow'd in straw Hard by the rampart."
Dikaiopolis says this to the Commissioner who has just spoken of how hard his journey was in curtained palanquins which were "luxuriously" bestowed on soft cushions. The contrast to life at home and life for these statesmen reveals a great disparity.
