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169 heart became happy with drink, Inanna brought up the subject of the ME's. Gracious with drink, Enki presented to her some ME's that would make Uruk a seat of Kingship: the ME for "Lord- ship," the ME for "the exalted and enduring tiara," the ME for "the throne of Kingship;" and "bright Inanna took them"—but asked for more. As Inanna worked her charms on her aging host, Enki made to her a second presentation; this time he gave her the ME's needed for "the exalted scep- ter and staff, the exalted shrine, and righteous Rulership." And "bright Inanna took them too." As the feasting and drinking went on, Enki parted with another seven ME's that provided for the functions and attributes of a Divine Lady— the status of a Great Goddess: a temple and its rituals, priests and attendants; justice and courts; music and arts; masonry and woodworking; metalworking, leatherwork and weaving; scribeship and mathematics; and last but not least, weapons and the art of warfare. Holding in her hands all these essentials for a high civiliza- tion, Inanna slipped away and took off in her Boat of Heaven back to Uruk. When Enki sobered up and realized what he had done, Enki ordered his chamberlain to pursue Inanna in her "Great Heavenly Skychamber" and retrieve the ME's. He caught up with her in Eridu, back in Sumer. But Inanna handed the ME's to her pilot, who flew off to Uruk while Inanna kept arguing with the chamberlain in Eridu. The peo- ple of Uruk forever recalled how their city became a seat of Kingship and civilization in a hymn titled Lady of the ME's; it was read responsively by the congregation on_ festive occasions: Lady of the ME's, Queen brightly resplendent. Righteous, clothed in radiance, Beloved of Heaven and Earth. Hierodule of Anu, Wearing great adorations. For the exalted tiara appropriate, For the high-priesthood suitable. The seven ME's she attained, Encounters in the GIGUNU