GCSE Latin set text Pliny 'Dolphin' p1

incidi in materiam veram sed simillimam fictae,

I have come upon a subject that is true but very similar to one that is made-up,

dignamque isto laetissimo altissimo planeque poetico ingenio;

and worthy of that very rich, very lofty, and clearly poetical talent of yours;

incidi autem, dum super cenam varia miracula hinc inde referuntur.

however, I came across it while over supper different marvels were being reported to and fro.

magna auctori fides: tametsi quid poetae cum fide?

The source has great reliability: although what concern does a poet have with reliability?

is tamen auctor, cui bene vel historiam scripturus credidisses.

However, the source is someone whom you would have trusted completely, even if you were going to write history.

est in Africa Hipponensis colonia mari proxima.

There is in Africa a colony called Hippo, close to the sea.

adiacet navigabile stagnum; ex hoc in modum fluminis aestuarium emergit,

A lagoon on which boats can sail lies next to it; out of this flows a channel like a river,

quod vice alterna, prout aestus aut repressit aut impulit,

which alternately, as the tide either forces it back or drives it forward,

nunc infertur mari, nunc redditur stagno.

now is carried into the sea, now is returned to the lagoon.