x@(Number traits) raisedTo: y@(Integer traits)
[
  y isZero ifTrue: [^ x unit].
  x isZero \/ [y = 1] ifTrue: [^ x].
  y isPositive
    ifTrue:
      "(x * x raisedTo: y // 2) * (x raisedTo: y \\ 2)"
      [| count result |
       count: 1.
       [(count: (count bitShift: 1)) < y] whileTrue.
       result: x unit.
       [count isPositive]
	 whileTrue:
	   [result: result squared.
	    (y bitAnd: count) isZero ifFalse: [result: result * x].
	    count: (count bitShift: -1)].
       result]
    ifFalse: [(x raisedTo: y negated) reciprocal]
].