Chapter III.—The constancy of Germanicus. The death of Polycarp is demanded.
For the devil did indeed invent many things against them; but thanks be to God, he
could not prevail over all. For the most noble Germanicus strengthened the timidity of
others by his own patience, and fought heroically89 with the wild beasts. For, when the
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proconsul sought to persuade him, and urged him90 to take pity upon his age, he attracted
the wild beast towards himself, and provoked it, being desirous to escape all the more quickly
from an unrighteous and impious world. But upon this the whole multitude, marvelling at
the nobility of mind displayed by the devout and godly race of Christians,91 cried out, “Away
with the Atheists; let Polycarp be sought out!”
89 Or, “illustriously.”
90 Or, “said to him.”
91 Literally, “the nobleness of the God-loving and God-fearing race of Christians.”
Chapter III.—The constancy of Germanicus. The death of Polycarp is demanded.
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Chapter III.—The constancy of Germanicus. The death of Polycarp is dema…