This night to play before him.
In Scene ii. this mimic drama is given, and Scenes iii. and iv. occur the same night, Hamlet's interview with his mother taking place, in accordance with the message brought to him, immediately after the breaking up of the play:
She desires to speak with you in her closet ere you go to bed.
Act iv. commences with a continuation of the events of the same night, as is shown by Gertrude's words:
Ah, my good lord, what have I seen to-night!
while the king declares:
The sun no sooner shall the mountains touch,
But we will ship him hence.
Morning has not dawned at the close of Scene iii., for among the last words of the king is the declaration:
I'll have him hence to-night.