E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Golden Apple.
“What female heart can gold despise?” (Gray). In allusion to the fable of Atalanta, the swiftest of all mortals. She vowed to marry only that man who could outstrip her in a race. Milan’ion threw down three golden apples, and Atalanta, stopping to pick them up, lost the race.
