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The letter has just described Quintus's failure and now turns to Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, who hears of the danger but remains calm.
But the most wonderful Polycarp was not troubled when he first heard the news.He wanted to remain in the city, but the majority persuaded him to withdraw.So he withdrew to a small farm not far from the city and stayed there with a few companions.Night and day he did nothing else but pray for all people and for the churches throughout the world, as was his custom.
While he was praying, three days before his arrest, he fell into a vision and saw his pillow being consumed by fire.He turned and said to those with him, "It is necessary for me to be burned alive."