The proconsul said, “I have wild beasts. I will throw you to them unless you repent.” Polycarp replied, “Call for them. We cannot repent by changing from better things to worse; but it is good to change from evil to righteousness.”
Again he said to him, “If you despise the beasts, I will have you consumed by fire unless you repent.” Polycarp replied, “You threaten a fire that burns for a time and is soon extinguished, because you do not know the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment reserved for the ungodly. But why do you delay? Do what you wish.”