Martyrdom of Polycarp 10

1But as Polycarp entered the stadium, a voice came to him from heaven: “Be strong, Polycarp, and be courageous.” No one saw the speaker, but those of our people who were present heard the voice. At last, when he was brought up, there was a great uproar, for they had heard that Polycarp had been arrested. When he was brought before him, the proconsul asked whether he was the man. When he confessed that he was, the proconsul tried to persuade him to deny Christ, saying, “Have respect for your age,” and other such things, as they usually say: “Swear by the genius of Caesar; repent and say, ‘Away with the atheists!’” Then Polycarp, with a solemn expression, looked at the whole crowd of lawless heathen in the stadium and waved his hand toward them. Groaning and looking up to heaven, he said, “Away with the atheists!” But when the magistrate pressed him strongly and said, “Swear the oath, and I will release you. Revile the Christ,” Polycarp said, “For eighty-six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”