I had rejected it as absurd, nevertheless it persisted. 
( ( ( ( ( I ( had ( rejected ( it ( as absurd ) ) ) ) ) , ) nevertheless ) ( it persisted ) ) . )
(ROOT (S (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD had) (VP (VBN rejected) (S (NP (PRP it)) (ADJP (RB as) (JJ absurd)))))) (, ,) (ADVP (RB nevertheless)) (S (NP (PRP it)) (VP (VBD persisted))) (. .)))
It persisted after I welcomed it as sensible.
( It ( ( persisted ( after ( I ( welcomed ( it ( as sensible ) ) ) ) ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP It)) (VP (VBD persisted) (SBAR (IN after) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD welcomed) (S (NP (PRP it)) (ADJP (RB as) (JJ sensible))))))) (. .)))