The Martyrdom of Polycarp
Chapter 9: Polycarp Refuses to Insult Christ
As Polycarp entered the stadium, a voice from heaven spoke to him, saying, "Be strong, and show yourself a man, O Polycarp!" No one saw who spoke to him, but those of our brethren who were present heard the voice. As he was brought forward, a great uproar arose when they heard that Polycarp had been taken. When he came near, the proconsul asked him if he was Polycarp. On confessing that he was, the proconsul tried to persuade him to deny [Christ], saying, "Respect your old age," and other similar things according to their custom, such as, "Swear by the fortune of Cæsar; repent, and say, Away with the Atheists." But Polycarp, looking sternly at the entire crowd of wicked pagans in the stadium, and waving his hand toward them while groaning and looking up to heaven, said, "Away with the Atheists." When the proconsul continued to urge him, saying, "Swear, and I will set you free, reproach Christ," Polycarp declared, "For eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me any harm: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?"