From the revue that really launched the 'satire' boom, the 1961 Beyond The Fringe. The cast: Peter Cook, Jonathan Miller, Dudley Moore and Alan Bennett. They are seated, huddled, on the top of a mountain...

Jon :

How will it be, this end of which you have spoken, Brother Enim?

Omnes:

Yes, how will it be?

Peter :

Well, it will be, as 'twere a mighty rending in the sky, you see, and the mountains shall sink, you see, and the valleys shall rise, you see, and great shall be the tumult thereof.

Jon :

Will the veil of the temple be rent in twain?

Peter :

The veil of the temple will be rent in twain about two minutes before we see the sign of the manifest flying beast-head in the sky.

Alan :

And will there be a mighty wind, Brother Enim?

Peter :

Certainly there will be a mighty wind, if the word of God is anything to go by...

Dudley :

And will this wind be so mighty as to lay low the mountains of the earth?

Peter :

No - it will not be quite as mighty as that - that is why we have come up on the mountain, you stupid nit - to be safe from it. Up here on the mountain we shall be safe - safe as houses.

Alan :

And what will happen to the houses?

Peter :

Well, naturally, the houses will be swept away and the tents of the ungodly with them, and they will all be consuméd by the power of the heavens and on earth - and serve them right!

Alan :

And shall we be consumed?

Peter :

Con..sum..éd? No, we shall not be consuméd - we shall be up on the mountain here, you see, while millions burn, having a bit of a giggle.

Jon :

When will it be, this end of which you have spoken?

Omnes :

Aye, when will it be - when will it be?

Peter :

In about thirty seconds time, according to the ancient pyramidic scrolls... and my Ingersoll watch.

Jon :

Shall we compose ourselves, then?

Peter :

Good plan, Brother Pithy. Prepare for the End of the World! Fifteen seconds...

Alan :

Have we got the tinned food?

Dudley :

Yes.

Peter :

Ten seconds...

Jon :

And the tin-opener?

Dudley :

Yes.

Peter :

Five - four - three - two - one - Zero!

Omnes :

(Chanting) Now is the end - Perish The World!

A pause

Peter :

It was GMT, wasn't it?

Jon :

Yes.

Peter :

Well, it's not quite the conflagration I'd been banking on. Never mind, lads, same time tomorrow... we must get a winner one day.