apostolicfathers0201clem - Carmel Apologetics

POLYCARP THE ELDER. 453
by name, had distinguished himself by his zeal and courage.
He had
dragged the wild beast to him by main force and so had perished.
The appetite of the populace was whetted by this butchery. A cry
rose; 'Away with the atheists. Let search be made for Polycarp'.
Polycarp retired into the country. He was followed thither by a force
of mounted police, accompanied by a servant boy, who under torture
had betrayed his master's hiding-place. It was Friday evening about
supper time. They found the old man in the upper room of a small
cottage. He might have escaped, but preferred to remain, saying
'
God's will be done'. When apprehended, he requested his captors to
allow him a short interval for prayer.
His request was granted, and for
two hours he stood praying, so that all present were moved by his
fervent utterances. Then, seated on an ass, he was led to the city.
Saturday morning had now broken, and it
happened to be a high
sabbath so that the Jews were keeping hoHday. He was met on his
way to the city by the captain of the police who bore the ominous
name of Herod. With Herod was his father Nicetes. Seating Polycarp
in the chariot beside them, they plied him with entreaties to pronounce
the virtual words of recantation, 'Caesar is Lord', and to throw a few
grains of incense on the altar. Failing to move him, they thrust him
out from the vehicle with such violence that he bruised his leg.
The
one the brother, the other the nephew, of Alee, a devout and renowned
member of Polycarp's flock', they must have felt ill at ease in this
untoward work, and there was doubtless real sincerity in their attempt
to rescue Polycarp from his fate.
In the stadium meanwhile a great uproar arose which drowned
every attempt to speak. As the old man entered, a voice came from
heaven, ' Polycarp, be strong and play the man'. It was audible to
certain behevers who were present, but the speaker no man could see.
Again Polycarp was plied with entreaties. Again he resisted all overtures.
The proconsul urged him to swear by the genius of Csesar and
say 'Away with the atheists'. He caught up the last words of his
judge. With solemn visage looking up to heaven and waving his hand,
he cried 'Away with the atheists'. The proconsul, perhaps mistaking
this as a sign of yielding, pressed him further; 'Swear, and I will
set thee free; revile Christ'. His answer is memorable; 'Fourscore
and six years have I served Him, and He hath done me no wrong.
How then can I speak evil of my King, who saved me'
All threats and seductions alike having proved powerless, the proconsul
announced to the assembled multitude that Polycarp had con-
1
See I. p. 366, II. pp. 325 sq, ill. 394.