It is easy to work when the soul is at play — Puppet Show

It is easy to work when the soul is at play-1
But when the soul is in pain-
The hearing him put his playthings up
Makes work difficult-then-

It is simple, to ache in the Bone, or the Rind-5
But Gimlets-among the nerve-
Mangle daintier-terribler-
Like a Panter in the Glove-
(F.242/J.244)
[1] work, play:: it's easier to handle puppets when the performer is in playing mood.
[2] soul, in pain:: the performer is unhappy.
[3] hearing him:: those playthings hearing the performer's pain. playthings:: puppets. put, up:: to conceal, disguise; puppets hide themselves.
[5, 6] Bone, nerve:: it's simpler for pain in the bone than nerve.
[7] Mangle daintier:: mix finer puppet acts made the show terribler.
[8] Glove:: a hint on hand puppet show. Panter:: an amendment of panther, a panther puppet.