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))) (. .)))
I rejected it as absurd but it persisted out of protest.
( ( ( ( I ( rejected ( it ( as absurd ) ) ) ) but ) ( it ( ( persisted out ) ( of protest ) ) ) ) . )
(ROOT (S (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD rejected) (S (NP (PRP it)) (ADJP (RB as) (JJ absurd))))) (CC but) (S (NP (PRP it)) (VP (VBD persisted) (PRT (RP out)) (PP (IN of) (NP (NN protest))))) (. .)))