The Martyrdom of Polycarp

But thanks be to God, for he had no power over[*](Germanicus) any. For the most noble Germanicus encouraged their fears by the endurance which was in him, and he fought gloriously with the wild beasts. For when the Pro-Consul wished to persuade him and bade him have pity on his youth, he violently dragged the beast towards himself, wishing to be released more quickly from their unrighteous and lawless life.

So after this all the crowd, wondering at the nobility of the God-loving and God-fearing people of the Christians, cried out: Away with the Atheists; let Polycarp be searched for.

But one, named Quintus, a Phrygian lately come[*](Quintus) from Phrygia, when he saw the wild beasts played the coward. Now it was he who had forced himself and some others to come forward of their own accord. Him the Pro-Consul persuaded with many entreaties to take the oath and offer sacrifice. For this reason, therefore, brethren, we do not commend those who give themselves up, since the Gospel does not give this teaching.

But the most wonderful Polycarp, when he[*](Polycarp’s retreat to the country) first heard it, was not disturbed, but wished to remain in the city; but the majority persuaded him to go away quietly, and he went out quietly to a farm, not far distant from the city, and stayed with a few friends, doing nothing but pray night and day for all, and for the Churches throughout the world, as was his custom.