Georges Danton displays such vehemence before the revolutionary tribunal that his enemies fear he will gain the crowd's favor.

The Convention, in its cowardice, assents to a proposal made by Saint-Just that, if a prisoner shows want of respect for justice, the tribunal might pronounce sentence without further delay.

Danton, Desmoulins, and many other actual or accused Dantonist associates are tried from April 3 through 5 before the Revolutionary Tribunal.

The trial is less criminal in nature than political, and as such unfolds in an irregular fashion.

The accused are prevented from defending themselves by a decree of the National Convention.

This fact, together with confusing and often incidental denunciations (for instance, a report that Danton, while engaged in political work in Brussels, had appropriated a carriage filled with several hundred thousand livres of table linen) and threats made by prosecutor Antoine Quentin Fouquier-Tinville towards members of the jury, help to ensure a guilty verdict.

Additionally, the accused are denied the right to have witnesses appear on their behalf, though they have submitted requests for several -- including, in Desmoulins' case, Robespierre.

The verdict is passed in the absence of the accused, who had been removed from the courtroom to prevent unrest among the trial's observers.

Their execution is scheduled for the same day.

Danton is at once condemned, and led, in company with fourteen others, including Desmoulins, to the guillotine.

"I leave it all in a frightful welter," he said; "not a man of them has an idea of government.

Robespierre will follow me; he is dragged down by me.

Ah, better be a poor fisherman than meddle with the government of men!"

The phrase 'a poor fisherman' is almost certainly a reference to Saint Peter, Danton having reconciled to Catholicism.

In reference to his belief that Robespierre would meet a similar fate, his last words to the crowd are, "My only regret is that I am going before that rat Robespierre."

Danton's true last words are addressed to his executioner: "Don't forget to show my head to the people.

It's well worth seeing."