The
proconsul asked him if he were Polycarp.
When he assented, the former counseled him to deny Christ, saying, "Consider thyself, and have
pity on thy own great age;" and many other such-like speeches which they are wont to
make.
The proconsul then urged him, saying, "Swear and I will release thee; reproach
Christ."
Polycarp answered, "Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never once wronged
me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me?"
The proconsul again urged him, "Swear by the fortune of Caesar."
Polycarp replied, "Since you still vainly strive to make me swear by the fortune of
Caesar, as you express it, affecting ignorance of my real character, hear me frankly
declaring what I am -- I am a Christian - and if you desire to learn the Christian
doctrine, assign me a day, and you shall hear."
Hereupon the proconsul said, "I have wild beasts; and I will expose you to them, unless
you repent."
"Call for them," replied Polycarp.
"I will tame thee with fire," said the proconsul, "since you despise the wild beasts,
unless you repent."
Then said Polycarp, "You threaten me with fire, which burns for an hour, and is soon
extinguished; but the fire of the future judgment, and of eternal punishment reserved
for the ungodly, you are ignorant of. But why do you delay? Do whatever you please."
The proconsul sent the herald to proclaim thrice in the middle of the Stadium, "Polycarp
hath professed himself a Christian."
Which words were no sooner spoken, but the whole multitude, both of Gentiles and Jews,
dwelling at Smyrna, with outrageous fury shouted aloud,
"This is the doctor of Asia, the
father of the Christians, and the subverter of our gods, who hath taught many not to
sacrifice nor adore."
They now called on Philip the Asiarch, to let loose a lion against Polycarp. But he
refused, alleging that he had closed his exhibition. They then unanimously shouted, that
he should be burnt alive. For his vision must needs be accomplished - the vision which
he had when he was praying, and saw his pillow burnt. The people immediately gathered
wood and other dry matter from the workshops and baths.
When they would have fastened him to the stake, he said,
"Leave me as I am; for He who giveth me strength to sustain the fire, will enable me also, without your securing me
with nails, to remain without flinching in the pile."
Upon which they bound him without nailing him. So he said thus: -
"O Father, I bless
thee that thou hast counted me worthy to receive my portion among the martyrs."
As soon as he had uttered the word "Amen," the officers lighted the fire. The flame,
forming the appearance of an arch, as the sail of a vessel filled with wind, surrounded,
as with a wall, the body of the martyr; which was in the midst, not as burning flesh,
but as gold and silver refining in the furnace.
From
The Martyrdom of Polycarp - A.D. 155-156
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