midnight
As the case stands , we are deputed by our illustrious Consort and sister Sovereign , Isabella of Castile , to represent her as Suzerain of the deceased -LRB- whom the saints assoilize -RRB- , and so ourselves guide the proceedings of justice on his murderer . Our prerogative as Suzerain and Liege would permit us to condemn to death at once ; but in this instance , my Lords and holy Fathers , we confess ourselves unwilling and incapable of pronouncing judgment solely on our own responsibility . The accused is a friendless foreigner , to whom we have been enabled to show some kindness , and therefore one towards whom we can not feel indifference : he has , moreover , done us such good service both in Spain and Sicily , that even the grave charge brought against him now , can not blot out the memories of the past . We find it difficult to believe that a young , high-spirited , honorable warrior , in whose heart every chivalric feeling appeared to beat , could become , under any temptation , under any impulse , that base and loathsome coward -- a midnight murderer ! On your counsels , then , we implicitly depend : examine , impartially and deliberately , the proofs for and against , which will be laid before you . But let one truth be ever present , lest justice herself be but a cover for prejudice and hate . Let not Europe have cause to say , that he who , flying from the enemies and tyrants of his own land , took refuge on the hearths of our people , secure there of kindness and protection , has found them not .