Lord, I ask for —

Lord, we know there is no good order except that which we create ... There is no hope but us. There is no mercy but us. There is no justice. There is just us.

All things that are, are ours. But we must care. For if we do not care, we do not exist. If we do not exist, then there is nothing but blind oblivion.

And even oblivion must end some day. Lord, will you grant me just a little time? For the proper balance of things. To return what was given. For the sake of prisoners and the flight of birds.

Lord, what can the harvest hope for, if not for the care of the Reaper Man?

Lord?

-- Death's soliloquy before Azrael, Reaper Man, Terry Pratchett