ws had been closed. Then they
unanimously demanded that he should be burnt alive. Their request was no
sooner granted, but every one ran with all speed to fetch wood from the
baths and shops. The Jews were particularly active and busy on this
occasion. The pile being prepared, Polycarp put off his garments, untied
his girdle, and began to take off his shoes; an office he had not been
accustomed to, the Christians having always striven who should do these
things for him, regarding it as a happiness to be admitted to touch him.
The wood and other combustibles were heaped all round him. The
executioners would have nailed him to the stake; but he said to them:
"Suffer me to be as I am. He who gives me grace to undergo this fire,
will enable me to stand still without that precaution." They therefore
contented themselves with tying his hands behind his back, and in this
posture, looking up towards heaven, he prayed as follows: "O Almighty
Lord God, Father of thy beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we
have received the knowledge of thee, God of angels, powers, and every
creature, and of all the race of the just that live in thy presence! I
bless thee for having been pleased in thy goodness to bring me to this
hour, that I may receive a portion in the number of thy martyrs, and
partake of the chalice of thy Christ, for the resurrection to eternal
life, in the incorruptibleness of the holy Spirit. Amongst whom grant me
to be received this day as a pleasing sacrifice, such an one as thou
thyself hast prepared, that so thou mayest accomplish what thou, O true
and faithful God! hast foreshown. Wherefore, for all things I praise,
bless, and glorify thee, through the eternal high priest Jesus Christ
thy beloved Son, with whom, to Thee and the Holy Ghost be glory now and
for ever. Amen." He had scarce said Amen, when fire was set to the pile,
which increased to a mighty flame. But behold a wonder, say the authors
of these acts, seen by us, reserved to attest it to others; the flames
forming themselves into an arch, like the sails of a ship swelled with
the wind, gently encircled the body of the martyr, which stood in the
middle, resembling not roasted flesh, but purified gold or silver,
appearing bright through the flames; and his body sending forth such a
fragrancy, that we seemed to smell precious spices. The blind infidels
were only exasperated to see his body could not be consumed, and ordered
a spearman to pierce him thro