These things happened with such speed—faster than they can be told—that the crowds immediately gathered wood and brushwood from the workshops and baths. The Jews, as is their custom, were especially eager to assist in this.
When the fire was prepared, Polycarp took off all his clothes, loosened his belt, and tried to remove his shoes. He had not been accustomed to do this himself before, because each of the faithful was always eager to be the first to touch his skin. For even before his martyrdom, he had been honored with every mark of respect because of his good way of life.
Immediately, the implements prepared for the pyre were placed around him. When they were about to nail him as well, he said, “Leave me as I am. The one who gives me strength to endure the fire will also enable me to remain unmoved on the pyre without the security you provide with nails.”