Answer:
how many letters are there in the alphabet
A little house full of meat, no door to go in and eat.
He stands beside the road. In a purple cap at tattered green cloak. Those who touch him, curse him.
Thousands lay up gold within this house. But no man made it. Spears past counting guard this house, but no man wards it.
A horrid monster hides from the day, with many legs and many eyes. With silver chains it catches prey. And eats it all before it dies. Yet in every cottage does it stay. And every castle beneath the sky.
They are many and one, they wave and they drum, Used to cover a state, they go with you everywhere.