The Martyrdom of Polycarp

The Pro-Consul said: Persuade the people. And Polycarp said: You I should have held worthy of discussion, for we have been taught to render honour, as is meet, if it hurt us not, to princes and authorities appointed by God. But as for those, I do not count them worthy that a defence should be made to them.

And the Pro-Consul said: I have wild beasts,[*](The Pro-Consul’s threats) I will deliver you to them, unless you repent. And he said: Call for them, for repentance from better to worse is not allowed us; but it is good to change from evil to righteousness.

And he said again to him: I will cause you to be consumed by fire, if you despise the beasts, unless you repent. But Polycarp said: You threaten with the fire that burns for a time, and is quickly quenched, for you do not know the fire which awaits the wicked in the judgment to come and in everlasting punishment. But why are you waiting? Come, do what you will.